Environmental degradation in Indonesia often affects foothill communities most severely. Deforestation, land conversion, and extractive activities increase the risks of floods, landslides, and the gradual loss of local livelihoods. In Aceh, these problems continue despite the presence of environmental regulations. Weak enforcement and limited monitoring allow activities such as illegal logging and land encroachment to persist. As a result, environmental damage is not only an ecological issue but also a matter of justice, since vulnerable communities bear the consequences of violations that are rarely addressed through effective policing or legal action.
This paper examines forest waqf as a community-based response to these challenges. Waqf is an Islamic endowment in which property or assets are permanently dedicated for public benefit. Once designated as waqf, the asset cannot be sold or transferred and must be used for social or charitable purposes. When applied to forest land, waqf creates a long-term protection mechanism that prevents commercial exploitation and preserves environmental resources for the wider community. The study uses a qualitative case study of forest waqf initiatives in Aceh, drawing on document analysis.
The findings show that forest waqf functions not only as a conservation effort but also as a form of local environmental governance. By placing forest areas under perpetual waqf ownership, communities limit activities such as illegal logging and uncontrolled land conversion, which often occur beyond the reach of formal monitoring. For communities living near forested slopes, these initiatives have practical benefits. Protected forests help maintain water sources, stabilize land, and reduce exposure to environmental hazards. In this sense, forest waqf contributes to environmental protection while also addressing the social impacts of environmental harm. The study argues that forest waqf represents a preventive approach to environmental justice. Instead of relying mainly on policing and punishment, it focuses on long-term stewardship, collective responsibility, and ethical land management.
